Healing Generosity: The Semon Fund

MercyOne Richard Deming Cancer Center patients are getting the support they need when they need it through the William J. Semon Family Resource Fund.

Linda Semon, MercyOne Des Moines Foundation Board Member, created the Semon Fund in memory of her husband, Dr. William (Bill) Semon, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and treated by Dr. Deming at MercyOne.

“When Bill was diagnosed, I learned how cancer and cancer treatment affects everything in your life on a daily basis,” said Linda.

A cancer diagnosis changes everything. Priorities are shifted from routine activities to a sole focus on going through a cancer journey. Linda expressed feeling so thankful that she was able to be by Bill’s side throughout his illness; but she is also aware that individual circumstances differ and that sometimes financial issues overshadow our ability to be where we want to be, both emotionally and physically.

“The morning after Bill passed away I was asked where I wanted memorial donations to go, and the thought that came to mind was that I wished I could take whatever was donated and go to the cancer center and just give it to patients who were struggling,” said Linda.

The purpose of the Semon Fund is to bring relief and hopefully a little joy to patients who are facing a difficult financial situation. Since its creation in 2011, this fund has impacted more than 800 cancer patients.

“The Semon Fund is exactly what I wanted it to be,” said Linda. “It provides help and support directly to patients for whatever it is that they happen to need.”

“We are able to take a little bit of the pressure off today so that patients can concentrate on getting better.”

This fund is unique in that it directly and immediately supports cancer patients without a tedious or time-consuming application process. Working with the Foundation to provide support, funds are distributed at the discretion of the nurse navigators who care for the patients and know their needs.

Linda expressed that she knows that what this fund is able to provide is very small in the greater scheme of things; but cancer treatment is one day at a time, and if this fund can make today a little easier, then tomorrow may be a little brighter.

“It warms my heart to hear some of the stories that the nurse navigators have shared,” said Linda.

“I know the fund can’t take the place of other more significant forms of assistance available to patients. However, we can help buy groceries for dinner tonight, we can buy gas to get them to and from treatment tomorrow, and we can pay an overdue utility bill or help with co-pays which allows them to start their treatments sooner rather than later. These are just some of the things that we can do, thanks to the generosity of those who have helped to support this fund.”

Thanks to donor support, the Semon Fund continues to impact the lives of cancer patients. Linda is grateful for all who have contributed to this fund and hopes it continues to grow and touch more lives. She hopes that people know their contribution is making a direct and lasting impact in the lives of those who are struggling.

“I want those who have been impacted through this fund to know that it is an honor to support them and that I understand what they and their families are going through,” said Linda.

For Giving Tuesday 2022, we have a goal of raising $10,000 for the Semon Fund. Linda has generously agreed to match all gifts, something she has graciously done for the last three years. For more information visit MercyOne.org/desmoinesfoundation/giving-tuesday.

Linda’s generosity has expanded to support other areas of MercyOne Central Iowa. Recently, she and her daughter, Jennifer, shopped for new toys and games found on the MercyOne Children’s Hospital Child Life Wish List and donated the items to the children at MercyOne Children’s Hospital.

“We give to what touches our heart and this touches mine,” said Linda.

For more information on how to get involved with Giving Tuesday, please contact MercyOne Des Moines Foundation Annual Giving and Communications Manager, Kendall Begnoche, at 515-643-8034 or kbegnoche@mercydesmoines.org.

For more information on how you can support MercyOne Richard Deming Cancer Center, please contact MercyOne Des Moines Foundation Vice President of Philanthropy, Joan Bindel at 515-643-8020 or jbindel@mercydesmoines.org.